VRFossils Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 This is a fossil that a friend gave me. I have no idea where it originated, although CO or NE could be a good guess. Any idea what it is? It is very fine. It looks to me like a feather, but under the microscope it doesn't have any of the features of a feather. The fibers are just straight and very thin. The pictures are of the two opposing sides, which fit together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Looks like plant fibers to Me. Maybe from a palm(?). Would really help if the age was known. Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 3 minutes ago, ynot said: Looks like plant fibers to Me. Maybe from a palm(?). Would really help if the age was known. 34.07 mya. Preservation, and preparation are a match for the Florissant beds in CO. Likely they are plant fibers, but hair would be a fantastic find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronzviking Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 It looks like strands of hair. Can you zoom in closer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Looks similar to some feathers from the Green River Formation. Bottom photos from HERE, and HERE. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 I still think the shade and the contrast between the fossil and the matrix looks more like Florissant. The fact that it looks like it has an acrylic (?) coating fits too. It's what is suggested to preserve the specimens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 It is a down feather, most likely from the Eocene Green River Formation. Down feathers underlay the contour feathers that cover the body of the bird, and are sometimes loosed during preening. Some birds have specialized "powder down" feathers that disintegrate into a powder when preening, and are used to de-oil and clean the rest of the plumage; an avian version of 'powdering its wig'. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRFossils Posted November 29, 2018 Author Share Posted November 29, 2018 Yes, it does look like the feathers from the Green River Formation! I wonder what they look like at a microscopic level. Mine doesn't have any barbs or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 23 minutes ago, VRFossils said: Mine doesn't have any barbs or anything Yes, down feathers are barbless. Barbs are the 'zipper' that holds the barbules together on flight and contour feathers, for form. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innocentx Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 A great gift your friend has given to you! "Journey through a universe ablaze with changes" Phil Ochs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 1 minute ago, Innocentx said: A great gift your friend has given to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldigger Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 It looks as if the break in the plate just missed the actual fossil so the entire thing is on the one side. However, it does center your field of focus with the two sides connected. Nifty piece! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 Hey folks, don't be so quick to identify the formation just from color and texture. I have a down feather from the Creede Formation of Colorado that could also be a match. Those lake and caldera deposits can all be very similar looking but will vary in age Certainly all are possibilities but a solid location ID needs more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBrewer Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 Super cool! John Map of UK fossil sites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 Awesome little fossil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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